HENRY JONES, LONDON

Details

A CHARLES II SILVER-MOUNTED EBONISED STRIKING BRACKET CLOCK
Henry Jones, London
The case with later foliate-tied silver handle to the cushion-moulded top applied with later silver foliate mounts to the front and rear, glazed sides, later silver floral escutcheons to the front door, the moulded base on bun feet, the 6in. sq. dial with pierced and sculpted blued steel hands, silvered Roman and Arabic chapter ring with Jones's typical heavy markings, finely matted centre with calendar aperture, well finished winged cherub spandrels, the movement with five back-pinned ringed pillars, twin gut fusees, verge escapement with later backcock, Dutch striking on two bells of different tone mounted vertically above the movement, the twice-12 notched countwheel pierced with a rosette to the centre and calibrated 2-12, pump-action for the strike operated via a cam wheel in the motion work, the backplate typically signed Henricus Jones Londini within a draped lambrequin within an engraved border and with the brass barrel click wheels and double wishbone springs visible at the base; case restored, later silver mounts
11½ in. (29.5 cm.) to hilt of handle

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Henry Jones (b. circa 1642, d. 1695) was one of the most important English clockmakers of the last quarter of the 17th century. He is thought to have been the son of William Jones, vicar of Boulder, Southampton. Having begun his apprenticeship in August 1654 he was passed over to the great Edward East and eventually given freedom in July 1663. Between 1664 and 1693 he had fourteen apprentices including his two sons William and Henry. The number of apprentices taken by a Master can be read as a barometer of his workshop's prosperity. The average might have been approximately five, whilst makers such as Daniel Quare had fifteen and Thomas Tompion had no fewer than twenty-three.

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